Biomedical subjects

Abraham Adunsky

Publications and source records attributed to Abraham Adunsky.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Trends in management, hospital and long-term outcomes of elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction.

PURPOSE: The number of elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is growing rapidly, and their early and postdischarge mortality is high. Several studies have reported a decline in mortality after myocardial infarction; however, the magnitude of the decline among the elderly has not been fully investigated. METHODS: We assessed trends in management, in-hospital, and long-term outcomes of 1475 elderly patients (aged > or =75 years, 42% women) hospitalized with AMI in all 25 operating coronary care units in Israel between 1992 and 2002, from our prospective nationwide biennial surveys. RESULTS: Between 1992 and 2002, a significant increase was observed in the use of acute reperfusion therapy (27%-48%), coronary angiography (6%-47%), percutaneous coronary intervention (3%-33%), coronary bypass (2%-8%), aspirin (53%-88%), beta-blockers (18%-65%), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (26%-63%), and lipid-lowering drugs (0%-43%). These changes were associated with a 42% reduction in 30-day mortality (27.6%-16.1%; adjusted odds ratio 0.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.36-0.93). One-year cumulative mortality declined by 20% (37%-29%; adjusted odds ratio 0.74; 95% CI, 0.49-1.13). CONCLUSIONS: The management of elderly patients with AMI changed substantially during the last decade. This change was associated with a significant reduction in early mortality, whereas cumulative 1-year mortality improved only slightly. Better adherence to in-hospital management guidelines and better implementation of postdischarge health policy may further decrease mortality and morbidity in the elderly after AMI.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Infection-related hypoglycemia in institutionalized demented patients: a comparative study of diabetic and nondiabetic patients.

Hypoglycemia is common in elderly community dwelling patients and may accompany episodes of acute infection. We analyzed the interrelations of clinical variables with infection-related hypoglycemia (IRH) and its outcome in institutionalized demented elderly patients, with and without diabetes mellitus (DM). This is a retrospective cohort study involving residents of a large long term-care facility. We measured demographic, clinical, functional, nutritional and cognitive data as well as blood counts and chemistry analysis. We identified 65 elderly patients with IRH and compared data of 33 diabetic patients with 32 nondiabetic patients. Mean age of patients was 77.7 years and mean Mini-Mental score of 1.8. Diabetic patients were younger, more cognitively impaired, had a lower functional score (nonsignificant differences), but presented with more comorbidities, compared with nondiabetics (p=0.004). Mean blood glucose levels in diabetics and nondiabetics were 53.2 and 54.3 mg/dl, respectively. Only 22% of the patients showed clinical signs indicating hypoglycemia. Multivariate analysis showed that, in groups, comorbidity and functional status, creatinine, albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and total cholesterol were all associated with IRH. During a 6 months period, 58% (38/65) of the patients died, out of whom 47% (18/38) died within one month following the documentation of IRH. There were no statistically significant differences in short and late mortality rates between patients with and without DM. we conclude that asymptomatic IRH in institutionalized demented elderly is frequently associated with common respiratory and urinary infections, in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients. IRH seems to indicate a poor general health status rather than being the cause of death. Blood glucose needs to be screened in this population during common infections, also in nondiabetics, to identify patients at high risk.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Their last 6 months: suffering and survival of end-stage dementia patients.

OBJECTIVE: to study possible interrelations existing between the Mini-Suffering State Examination (MSSE) scale and survival of end-stage dementia patients. METHODS: a cohort study of 252 end-stage dementia patients with a 6-month follow-up period, conducted in a Division of Geriatric Medicine of a general hospital. We included 134 consecutive bedridden end-stage dementia patients admitted during a 36-month period, and surviving in the ward for <6 months. Interrelations between survival and admission MSSE scores were studied. RESULTS: compared with patients surviving >/=6 months, those dying within 6 months were significantly older (P = 0.014). Mean survival time was 57.76 +/- 9.73 days for the low MSSE score group (29 patients, MSSE 2.24 +/- 0.99), 44.70 +/- 5.99 days for the intermediate MSSE score group (53 patients, MSSE 4.92 +/- 0.83) and 27.54 +/- 4.16 days for the high MSSE score group (52 patients, MSSE 8.06 +/- 1.00). Differences between the survival times of these three MSSE score groups were statistically significant (Kaplan-Meier Analysis Log Rank P = 0.0018, Breslow P = 0.0027). The Cox proportional hazard model of survival showed a significant interrelation of high MSSE scores and shorter survival (P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: documentation of a high-suffering level by the MSSE scale helps in identifying end-stage dementia patients expected to benefit from enrolment into a palliative care setting.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Olfactory function in oncologic hospice patients.

INTRODUCTION: Normal sense of smell is important for well being. Although cancer is reported to be associated with impaired olfactory function, very few studies have directly evaluated this effect. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a quantitative analysis of olfactory status in 42 hospice patients in a hospital-based hospice facility. Olfaction was assessed using the "Sniffin' Sticks" (Burghart Medical Technology, Tinsdaler, Germany) kit. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (60%) were found to be hyposmic. CONCLUSION: Study results indicate the high incidence of decreased olfactory function among hospice patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

High dose controlled-release oxycodone in hospice care.

Controlled-release oxycodone (OxyContin) is commonly used for pain relief in terminal cancer. This opioid may be considered as a treatment option for patients who prefer oral pain control, but who are unwilling to take oral morphine sulphate or cannot tolerate its side effects. However, little is documented about the use of high doses of this drug in terminal cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of terminally ill hospice inpatients treated with OxyContin for pain, and to compare those patients receiving high-dose OxyContin (150 mg/day) with patients taking low and more typical doses. This retrospective chart analysis with parallel groups included records of 97 consecutive terminal cancer patients. We recorded clinical and demographic data, as well as data regarding daily doses, rescue doses and parameters associated with quality of life. The mean daily OxyContin dose was 78.6 mg per day for all patients. Only 18 (18.55%) patients were treated with high doses (mean daily dose 231.1 mg). No statistically significant correlations were found between any of the deomographic parameters and dose ranges, with the exception of patients with painful bony metastases who consumed significantly higher doses (p = 0.008). No differences were observed in sleep quality or mood as a factor of OxyContin doses. However, compared with patients receiving low-dose (OR 1.0), patients treated with moderate and high doses maintained Karnofsky scores higher than 40 points most of the time (OR = 3.77, CI 1.1-13.0 and OR 4.95, CI 0.8-29.9, respectively). Survival was not related to OxyContin doses (Log Rank test, p = 0.12; Breslow test, p = 0.37). We conclude that the use of high dose OxyContin for terminal cancer pain management is safe, efficient, and unrelated to shorter survival times. The results suggest that health care professionals may use higher OxyContin doses, when indicated, to enable better pain relief and quality end-of-life care.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

PubMed2005

Decubitus direct current treatment (DDCT) of pressure ulcers: results of a randomized double-blinded placebo controlled study.

Electrostimulation for the treatment of pressure sores remains problematic and controversial. We studied the decubitus direct current treatment (DDCT) electrostimulation treatment of pressure sores stage 3 degree, with respect to rates of ulcer closure and wound area reduction. This was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study involving 11 departments of geriatric and rehabilitation medicine including 63 patients. We compared a placebo treated group (PG) with an active treatment group (TG). Treatment lasted for 8 consecutive weeks, followed by a 12-week-period of follow-up. At day 57 (end of treatment) and at day 147 (end of follow-up), there was no difference between the groups with regards to rates of complete closure of ulcers (p=0.28 and 0.39, respectively), as well as for the mean time needed to achieve complete wound closure (p=0.16). Absolute ulcer area reduction and speed rate of wound area reduction (reflected by change from baseline ulcer area, percentage) were better in participants allocated in the treatment group only until day 45 (standardized estimate for trend of healing speed -0.44 and -0.14 for TG and PG, respectively). Afterwards, there were no differences between the two groups. A logistic regression analysis favored complete healing in TG, compared with PG (odds ratio 1.6, CI 0.4-4.73). Analysis of per protocol patients revealed that time needed for wound closure was 52% longer in PG (p=0.03, compared with TG). The results suggest that DDCT treatment for pressure ulcers grade 3 degree, in addition to the conservative wound care, may be useful in accelerating the healing process during the first period of care.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Gender differences as an influence on patients' satisfaction rates in spinal surgery of elderly patients.

There is an increased rate of lumbar spinal operations in elderly patients due to lumbar spinal stenosis. Many factors affect the decision of the patient and surgeon to perform the operation, among which are the age of the patient, comorbidities and willingness to undergo surgery. However, the gender of the patient is rarely taken into consideration as a factor for performing the operation. The satisfaction of the patient is an important factor to assess the operative success retrospectively. Therefore, we assessed the differences caused by gender on the satisfaction of elderly patients following lumbar spinal surgery. Three hundred and sixty-seven elderly patients (>65 years) treated in our institution from 1990 to 2000 for lumbar spinal stenosis and who underwent laminectomy without fusion filled in a questionnaire prior to operation regarding their gender, demographic status, comorbidities, activities of daily living (ADL) using the Barthel index, and pain according to visual analogue scale. At follow-up, a telephone interview on 298 patients was structured and included the same pre-operative questions and additional questions regarding the satisfaction rate from surgery. Two hundred and ninety-eight patients responded to our telephone interview with a minimum follow-up of 1 year (mean: 64 months). After surgery, both women and men showed improvement in their ADL, and reduction in pain perception. The number of very satisfied patients was similar in both groups, but women were significantly more dissatisfied with the operation. The surgical parameters, including complications, did not differ between the groups. Gender differences were found to influence the satisfaction rate of lumbar spinal stenosis surgery. Women tend to have less satisfactory results than men. The reasons for that are probably multifactorial and are not related to the surgery per se.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2005

Plasma homocysteine level and functional outcome of patients with ischemic stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible relationships between total plasma homocysteine level (tHcy) and functional outcome of stroke patients as evaluated by the FIM instrument. DESIGN: Retrospective chart analysis. SETTING: Inpatient stroke rehabilitation ward of a university-affiliated referral hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive patients (N=113) presenting with acute ischemic stroke. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their tHcy levels (< or = 15 micromol/L, >15 micromol/L) and into 3 groups according to their FIM scores (low, < or =40; moderate, 41-80; high, >80). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The tHcy level was determined shortly after stroke onset by a high performance liquid chromatography method with fluorescence detection. Functional outcome was measured by the FIM instrument at admission and discharge. The tHcy level and FIM scores were obtained for all patients. Data outcomes were analyzed by t tests, 1-way analysis of variance, Mann-Whitney U, and Fisher exact tests, as well as by the 2 ordered polytomous logistic regression model. RESULTS: The 2 tHcy groups were similar in demographic, stroke, and comorbidity characteristics, differing only by higher frequency of hypertension in those with a tHcy greater than 15 micromol/L (51.7% vs 80.8%, respectively, P=.01). Compared with patients who had tHcy levels at 15 micromol/L or lower and were discharged from rehabilitation being in the highest FIM score group (>80), higher tHcy levels were not associated with a discharge FIM score of less than 40 (odds ratio [OR]=.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13-4.65; P=.77) or with a better functional outcome FIM score between 40 and 80 (OR=3.71; 95% CI, 0.73-18.99; P=.11). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that determination of tHcy level does not correlate with functional outcome in patients presenting for rehabilitation after acute ischemic stroke.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2005

The association between psychotropic medication use and functional outcome of elderly hip-fracture patients undergoing rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE: To study the interrelations between use of psychotropic medications and functional outcomes of elderly hip fracture patients undergoing rehabilitation. DESIGN: A retrospective parallel group study. SETTING: A geriatric rehabilitation department in a large urban academic hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Records of 432 elderly people with extracapsular or intracapsular hip fractures were initially screened between 1999 and 2003. Of these, 263 subjects were eligible for the study. Their average age was 82.2+/-6.9 years. The average length of stay was 29.0+/-10.2 days. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Absolute (uncorrected) functional gains measured by the FIM instrument and relative (corrected) FIM gains calculated according to the Montebello equation. RESULTS: Of the 263 patients included in the final analysis, 153 (62.4%) were treated with psychotropics. The 2 groups were similar, yet psychotropic drug users were more likely to be women (P = .028) and to suffer intracapsular fractures (P = .027). Similar improvements in absolute FIM scores were observed during rehabilitation in both groups. However, both total and motor relative functional gains were lower in psychotropic drug users (.33+/-0.1 vs .39+/-0.1, P = .021) than in nonusers (.31+/-0.1 vs .42+/-0.2, P = .039). Regression analysis showed that female sex ( P = .029), higher Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination score (P < .001), and independent prefracture function (P < .01) were associated with higher motor FIM gains. Use of minor tranquillizers was only slightly-and adversely-associated with lower FIM gains (r = -2.68, P = .047), whereas the use of antidepressants and antipsychotics had no effect on these parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Use of psychotropic medications does not appear to be associated with functional outcome of elderly hip fracture patients undergoing rehabilitation.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2005

Antiepileptic drug use and the occurrence of pressure ulcers among bedridden institutionalized elderly patients: a retrospective chart review.

BACKGROUND: Phenytoin (PH) is indicated primarily for the control of grand mal and psychomotor seizures. However, topical PH has been used for the treatment of various types of ulcers, including pressure ulcers. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of a relationship between the use of oral PH and the prevalence of pressure ulcers among bedridden institutionalized elderly patients. METHODS: This retrospective chart review was conducted in a state-run urban geriatric medical center in Israel and involved long-term bedridden institutionalized patients who were receiving chronic antiepileptic medication during the 7-year period between January 1996 and December 2003. The prevalence of pressure ulcers in patients who received treatment with PH alone or in combination with other antiepileptic drugs was compared with that in patients who received antiepileptic agents other than PH. RESULTS: The study analyzed data from the medical charts of 153 patients, 72 of whom received PH alone or in combination with other antiepileptic drugs, and 81 of whom received antiepileptic agents other than PH. Patients' mean (SD) age was 78.5 (7.2) years; 106 (69.3%) were women. All patients were totally dependent with respect to activities of daily living (mean Katz score, 2.0 [2.0]) and had severe cognitive decline (mean Mini-Mental State Examination score, 3.5 [3.3]). Pressure ulcers occurred in 9.7% of PH recipients and 27.2% of non-PH recipients (P = 0.006; chi2 = 7.55). In PH recipients, 85.7% of pressure ulcers were of mild to moderate severity (stage I or II), compared with 59.1% of ulcers in non-PH recipients; the difference between groups was not statistically significant. Four (18.2%) non-PH recipients and no PH recipients had stage IV pressure ulcers. In the PH group, 71.4% of patients had a pressure ulcer in only 1 anatomic location, compared with 22.7% of the non-PH group (P = 0.023; chi2 = 5.13); 28.6% of PH recipients and 63.6% of non-PH recipients had pressure ulcers in 2 or 3 anatomic locations; and 3 (13.6%) non-PH recipients and no PH recipients had pressure ulcers in > or = 4 areas. CONCLUSIONS: In the long-term bedridden institutionalized patients studied, those who received PH had lower rates of pressure ulcers, as well as less severe ulcers. PH may be a useful anticonvulsive agent in frail elderly patients, who are at risk for the development of pressure ulcers.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2005

Endonasal geometry changes in elderly people: acoustic rhinometry measurements.

BACKGROUND: Skeletal nasal changes in elderly people have been extensively investigated, but data on variation of the endonasal architecture with age do not exist. We evaluated endonasal parameters in an elderly population as compared with those in a young group. METHODS: Acoustic rhinometry measurements were performed on 165 participants in the age range of 20-93 years. The rhinograms provided the endonasal volume from the nostril entrance to a 7.0 cm cephalic point (V0-7) and the minimal cross-sectional areas (MCA1 and MCA2). Statistical analysis was performed by Pearson correlation and one-way analysis of variance, using age as a continuous or categorical variable. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in gender distribution within each age group. The results obtained for the left and right nostrils were similar. Endonasal volume V0-7 and the narrowing areas MCA1 and MCA2 significantly increase with age, except for men over 80 years in which a relative decrease was observed. CONCLUSION: Acoustic rhinometry examination of the endonasal architecture in a healthy young and elderly population demonstrated a gradual increase of endonasal volumes and minimal cross-sectional areas with age.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Patterns of high-dose morphine use in a home-care hospice service: should we be afraid of it?

BACKGROUND: Management of cancer pain is one of the most important goals of palliative care. Relieving pain is often problematic. High doses of morphine at home may be required to relieve patients' pain, and is therefore feared. The goals of the current study were to assess the feasibility of high-dose morphine use at home, to characterize the patients, and to examine whether the use of high-dose morphine might affect their survival. METHODS: The authors retrospectively studied the medical charts of 661 outpatients, which were completed by a home-care hospice team. The authors collected data regarding demographic parameters, medical diagnosis, pain type, morphine dosage, use of rescue doses in addition to regular doses, use of coanalgesics and adjuvant treatments, and survival time as associated with morphine dosage. The authors also compared the data of patients receiving high-dose morphine with those of a group of patients receiving regular doses. RESULTS: The authors identified 435 patients (65.8%) who received morphine for pain relief. Of these, 396 patients (91%) received a dose of 5-299 mg of morphine per day), 32 patients (7.4%) received 300-599 mg of morphine per day), and 7 patients (1.6%) received very high doses (> or = 600 mg of morphine per day). Overall, 39 patients (9%) received > 299 mg per day. Morphine dosage was found to be inversely correlated (r) with age (r = -0.254; P < 0.001). Male patients required slightly higher dosages than female patients (62.5% of high-dose and 71% of very high-morphine groups, respectively). Primary gastrointestinal (P = 0.015) and lung (P = 0.027) carcinomas, as well as metastatic bone disease (P = 0.001), ovarian carcinoma (P = 0.037), and brain tumors (P = 0.0053) were associated with higher and very higher morphine dosages. Adverse effects were similar in the groups receiving regular, high, and very high doses of morphine. The median survival of patients treated with high doses of morphine was 27 days and was 37 days for those treated with very high doses. Patients treated with low doses of morphine survived for 18 days. Patients not treated with morphine survived for 22 days (P = 0.001 by Mantel-Cox analysis; P = 0.029 by Breslow analysis). CONCLUSIONS: The use of high and very high morphine doses at home proved safe and did not appear to affect the patients' life expectancy adversely. The use of high or very high-dose morphine should not be a barrier to providing palliative terminal care for home-care hospice patients.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Outcomes of decompression surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis in elderly diabetic patients.

The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the outcome of surgical decompression for spinal stenosis in diabetic and non-diabetic elderly patients. This is a retrospective chart analysis conducted in a university affiliated referral hospital. The participants were consecutive patients, age 65 and older, undergoing laminectomy for spinal stenosis during 1990-2000. We assessed patients' clinical and demographic data, procedures, perioperative complications, preoperative and postoperative pain intensity, basic activities of daily living (BADL), patients' satisfaction, the need for repeated surgery, and overall mortality. A total number of 62 elderly diabetic group (DG) patients undergoing decompression surgery for spinal stenosis were compared with a sex and age-matched non-diabetic control group (CG) at baseline, and a mean of 40.3 months thereafter. We found that the DG patients had more pain ( p=0.042), and suffered more frequently from neurogenic claudication ( p=0.0018), motor weakness ( p=0.021) and numbness of the affected limb ( p=0.0069) than the CG patients. Nocturnal pain was reported in 24% of the DG patients. Pain relief was successfully achieved in both groups ( p<0.001), but the patients' satisfaction was greater in the non-diabetic patients ( p=0.0067). Revision surgery was more frequently performed in the DG than the CG (non-significant difference), and the time interval for such a second intervention was shorter ( p=0.04) in the DG. A higher rate of post-operative complications was observed in the DG ( p<0.0001). It is concluded that surgical treatment of elderly diabetic patients suffering from spinal stenosis improves BADL and ameliorates pain, but the results remain worse than those observed in non-diabetics. The outcome of diabetic patients depends upon the presence of other comorbidities, concurrent diabetic neuropathy, duration of diabetes and insulin treatment. Successful postoperative pain reduction remained the strongest factor associated with patients' satisfaction.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2003

A comparative study of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion in community-dwelling patients and nursing home residents.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Limited data exist about the clinical characteristics of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADHS) in hospitalized elderly. Moreover, there may be differences regarding this syndrome between populations, depending on the referral source to hospitals. The objectives of the study were to determine the etiology, clinical characteristics and hospital outcome in a sample of elderly hospitalized patients with SIADHS, and to compare community-dwelling patients (CDP) with nursing home residents (NHR). METHODS: This retrospective chart analysis was conducted in a university affiliated referral hospital. The participants were consecutive elderly patients, admitted with hyponatremia (< 135 mmol/L), and ultimately diagnosed as having SIADHS. We examined patient demographics, medical history, clinical presentation, laboratory and imaging studies, and hospital outcome. RESULTS: Of the 179 patients presenting with hyponatremia, 79 patients (44%) fulfilled the criteria for SIADHS; 73% of these patients were CDP and 27% were NHR (mean ages, 74.4 +/- 6.9 and 75.7 +/- 7.2 years, respectively). Most CDP complained of weakness and dizziness, while NHP presented with confusion, seizures and vomiting. Mean sodium levels and mean plasma osmolality values were similar in both groups, however, the number of patients with sodium levels < or = 121 mmol/L was significantly higher among NHR. The leading causes of SIADHS in both groups were medications, idiopathic form, and concurrent malignancies. In patients older than 81 years, idiopathic (50%) and drug-induced (20%) SIADHS were more frequent, compared with younger age groups. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was significantly higher in NHR as compared with CDP (p = 0.014), yet, it was similar in both groups once only patients with sodium levels of 121 mmo/L or lower were considered. CONCLUSIONS: While leading causes of SIADHS in community and nursing home residents are similar, there are marked differences in clinical presentation and outcome. This knowledge should help in identifying high-risk patients and taking appropriate measures.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

A comparative study of rehabilitation outcomes of elderly hip fracture patients: the advantage of a comprehensive orthogeriatric approach.

BACKGROUND: The optimal setting and design of a comprehensive treatment for elderly hip fracture patients is unknown. The aims of this study were to compare the functional outcomes associated with an innovative comprehensive single-step (geriatric-based) and classic double-step (orthopedic-based) treatment of such patients. METHODS: This is a partially concurrent prospective study, taking place in the orthogeriatric unit of a department of geriatric rehabilitation, in a large urban academic freestanding hospital. The participants were 336 consecutive elderly people, admitted for surgery of extracapsular or intracapsular hip fracture. 204 patients were admitted to the department of orthopedic surgery and transferred, shortly after surgery, to the orthogeriatric ward for ongoing rehabilitation (ORT group). Another 116 patients were admitted directly to a geriatric-based orthogeriatric ward, and they received surgical, medical, and rehabilitation treatment within the same facility (ORTGER group). The main outcome measures were length of stay, absolute functional gains of the motor functional independence measure (FIM), and relative functional motor gains according to the Montebello rehabilitation factor score. Successful rehabilitation was defined as relative functional gain >.5. RESULTS: 320 patients were included in the final analysis. The two groups were similar, yet ORT-group patients were somewhat younger (p <.02) and were cognitively better preserved (p <.01). Admission cognitive FIM was the strongest positive predictive factor associated with successful rehabilitation (odds ratio = 2.45, 95% confidence interval 1.89-3.31, and p <.001). Significant improvement of total FIM scores occurred during rehabilitation in both groups. The relative functional gain was similar in the two groups, but total hospital length of stay was 5 days shorter in the ORTGER group (p <.01). After the effect of age, sex, length of stay, fracture type, and cognition at onset of the rehabilitation period were adjusted for, patients of the ORTGER group had a twofold chance for successful rehabilitation, compared with ORT-group patients (odds ratio = 1.97, 95% confidence interval 1.09-3.65, and p =.03). CONCLUSIONS: The functional outcome of elderly hip fracture patients is better for those treated in the orthogeriatric setting, as compared with the common two-steps model of orthopedic surgery followed by transfer to a geriatric rehabilitation facility.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Further evidence of interrelation between homocysteine and hypertension in stroke patients: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: A high total plasma homocysteine level is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, but the evidence connecting plasma tHcy level with hypertension is inconsistent. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between plasma tHcy level and some common risk factors for cerebrovascular disease (recurrent stroke, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ischemic heart disease and hyperlipidemia) in patients presenting with primary or recurrent acute ischemic strokes. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional chart analysis was conducted in a university-affiliated referral hospital. During an 18 month period we identified 113 acute ischemic stroke patients (mean age 71.2), 25 of whom had a recurrent stroke. Plasma tHcy level, obtained 2-10 days after stroke onset, was determined by the high performance liquid chromatography method with fluorescence detection. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to determine the independent relationship between each potential risk factor and tHcy level above or below the 75th percentile. RESULTS: Hypertension was more frequent among patients with plasma tHcy level above than below the 75th percentile (51.7% vs. 80.8%, respectively, P = 0.012). After adjusting for demographic and clinical variables, the odds ratio for recurrent stroke and hypertension, with tHcy above or below the 75th percentile, was 3.4 (95% confidence interval 1.01-10.4, P = 0.037) and 4.02 (95% CI 1.2-13.9, P = 0.028), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A high plasma tHcy level is associated with history of hypertension and recurrent stroke among patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke. These results were independent of other risk factors such as atrial fibrillation, diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Hypertensive stroke patients with hyperhomocysteinemia should be identified as high risk patients as compared to non-hypertensive stroke patients, and more vigorous measures for secondary prevention may be warranted.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2002

Mini-Mental State Examination, cognitive FIM instrument, and the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment: relation to functional outcome of stroke patients.

OBJECTIVES: To compare 3 cognitive tests, used on admission, for predicting discharge functional outcome and to assess the efficacy of these tests in predicting functional outcome at discharge in stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Geriatric rehabilitation department of a tertiary care hospital in Israel. PATIENTS: Sixty-six patients undergoing acute inpatient comprehensive rehabilitation after first clinical stroke. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Cognitive status was assessed with the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the cognitive subscale of the FIM instrument. The FIM motor subscale was used to assess functional outcome status. Functional gain was determined by the motor FIM gain (efficacy), and the relative (to potential) functional gain was determined by the Montebello Rehabilitation Factor Score. Efficiency was calculated by efficacy divided by the length of hospital stay. RESULTS: A significant increase in total FIM scores (34.8 points) occurred during rehabilitation mainly because of improvement in motor functioning (31.5 points). Significant improvement in global cognitive status was documented by all 3 tests. Intertest correlation coefficients ranged between.47 and.67. The LOTCA showed somewhat higher correlation coefficients with most of the parameters of functional motor outcomes. Correlation between the MMSE and FIM cognitive subscale and these outcome parameters were nearly identical. CONCLUSION: The LOTCA is slightly better than the MMSE and the FIM cognitive subscale in predicting functional status change after stroke rehabilitation but it is a time-consuming and exhausting instrument to use. The FIM cognitive subscale requires a better overall understanding of the patient's situation at time of administration and therefore is less convenient for the initial assessment. The similar correlation of all 3 tests with functional outcomes and the simplicity of administration of the MMSE suggests its use in the initial assessment of stroke patients.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2002

Rehabilitation outcome of elderly patients after a first stroke: effect of cognitive status at admission on the functional outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether, and to what extent, cognitive outcome relates to overall functional outcome among elderly stroke patients. DESIGN: Nonconcurrent prospective study. SETTING: Geriatric rehabilitation division at a large, urban, academic, freestanding hospital in Israel. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred thirty-six patients aged 60 years and older admitted consecutively for rehabilitation after first acute stroke. Inclusion criteria were met by 315 patients, who were included in the final analysis. Average age was 75.3 years. The stroke was right sided in 44.1%. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The motor subscale of the FIM instrument assessed functional status. Absolute functional gain was determined by the FIM motor gain. Relative functional gain was calculated according to the Montebello Rehabilitation Factor Score. Cognitive status was assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the FIM cognitive subscale. RESULTS: FIM scores increased significantly during rehabilitation, mainly due to improvement in motor functioning. A strong association was found between the cognitive scales (r=.853, P<.001). Better rehabilitation outcomes were observed in patients with higher admission cognitive status, adjusting for the effect of age, sex, onset to admission interval, length of stay, and severity of stroke (odds ratio = 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-2.5). CONCLUSIONS: Impaired cognitive status at admission negatively affects the rehabilitation outcome of elderly stroke patients. The utility of routinely using a cognitive test for all patients before admission to rehabilitation, preferably the MMSE, is emphasized. The time, cost, and effort involved in performing such a test are negligible, and the potential benefits are considerable.

Activities of Daily Living↗